CAN YOU KEEP A BETTA FISH WITH VAMPIRE CRABS?
Can you keep a betta fish with vampire crabs?
Combining species in a single ecosystem is something everyone wants to do, but not all pairings are successful and some are just a disaster waiting to happen. Betta fish and vampire crabs are amazing creatures to keep on their own, but is keeping them together a good idea? You’re about to find out!
UNDERSTANDING Vampire Crab Behavior
Vampire crabs are semi-aquatic creatures, that require both water and land areas in a paludarium. While they do spend 99% of their time on land they also need the water to hydrate and molt. They are generally peaceful but highly opportunistic hunters, meaning fish, shrimp, snails and any other vulnerable tank mates can become prey. This aspect of their nature is very important to remember as we continue.
Vampire crabs like to fight
Betta Fish Behavior
There are a ton of different betta fish species available on the market with an almost endless selection of colours and tail type combinations. And while betta fish are predators in their own right, praying on snails, shrimp, and other small fish they can quickly become pray for semi-aquatic species like vampire crabs. I’ll explain their weaknesses shortly.
the Risks of keeping betta fish and vampire crabs together
Injury/Death: Vampire crabs can and will grab the betta’s fins, slowly wearing them out until the betta ultimately becomes an easy meal. On hearing this people assume that keeping a short-finned/tailed betta is a better option that will solve this problem but that isn’t the case. While it will reduce fin damage, Vampire Crabs will ultimately kill and eat any betta fish they can get their claws on. How do they do this?
How do Vampire Crabs Kill Betta Fish?
Since vampire crabs can hunt both on land and in the water, they have a distinct advantage over betta fish and often take advantage of this. Typically, vampire crabs will patiently wait at the water's edge, on the shoreline, for a betta to surface for air or swim by. Once the betta is within range, the crab will lunge and grab hold of the fish. Sometimes the betta may manage to escape, but other times it won’t. Each time this happens, the betta is injured. As multiple crabs continue to target the betta, its injuries will eventually become fatal. This risk applies to all types of bettas, not just long-finned varieties. Therefore, it's best to avoid keeping any type of betta fish with vampire crabs.
What kind of fish can you keep with Vampire Crabs?
While betta fish aren’t an option to keep with vampire crabs there are still quite a few species of fish that you can keep with vampire crabs, though you will always run the risk of them being eaten at some stage. Below is a guide that goes over some of the best fish options to keep with vampire crabs and the reasons why they work.